BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK. 
17 
rock, that rose steep and abrupt out of the sea before 
us, relieved against the horizon already glowing with 
the declining sun. As we neared it, I v/as struck 
with its resemblance to the Bass, as well in form 
and appearance as in the myriads of sea-birds that 
were congregated in clouds around it. They were 
settling down for the night ; and strings of other 
birds, from all points of the compass, were seen on 
flagging wing wending their way to their island lodg- 
ing, after their predatory seaward excursions of the 
day. Behind the rock in the northern horizon, was 
seen the conical form of Nevis, that lovely little 
gem of the Hesperidan archipelago, but blue and 
distant, and presently lost ; for the sun had set, and 
the night, like a giant, strode quickly over the scene. 
BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK. 
Dec. — My first sight of Jamaica was one that 
I never can forget. The approach to the land of 
one’s destination after a long voyage is always a season 
of pleasurable excitement ; a peculiar flutter of the 
spirits, a disposition to hilarity, and to mutual gratu- 
lation pervades more or less every one on board, from 
cabin passenger to the black cook in the caboose. 
Every one may be seen from time to time straining 
his eyes, in the direction from which the first dim 
blue indication may be expected ; and those who dare 
to go aloft make free use of the advantage which that 
elevation affords them. I had arisen early, and at 
dawn of day had seen Cape Tiburon, the west point 
of Hayti, dark, distinct, and palpable, though distant 
